Epidural blockade in thoracic surgery: a case report

This report presents a clinical case of the treatment of pain syndrome in isolated chest trauma following an accident of a patient with liver cirrhosis and hypocoagulation syndrome who sustained bilateral fracture of the ribs (II, III, IV, V, and VI ribs on the right and II, III, IV, V, and VI ribs on the left), fracture of the sternum body in the middle third, bilateral hemopneumothorax, and contusion of both lungs. From the initial hours, fentanyl, which was administered intravenously in a complex of multimodal analgesia, was used for anesthesia. However, adequate pain control was not achieved. Against the background of pain syndrome, the patient developed impaired consciousness and respiratory failure. Epidural puncture and catheterization with an epidural injection of ropivacaine were performed, which relieved the pain syndrome and helped prevent pulmonary complications. The present case highlights the need for an individual assessment of the risk–benefit ratio of the use of epidural catheterization in patients with coagulopathy.

Conclusion: The use of epidural analgesia for chest trauma in patients with moderate coagulopathy made it possible to initiate effective analgesia and reduce the risk of respiratory complications, which ultimately ensured a favorable outcome of severe trauma.